Coalition agreement stands

After protracted negotiations the major German political parties CDU/CSU and SPD have reached an agreement.

dpa

After protracted negotiations the major German political parties CDU/CSU and SPD have reached an agreement.

Berlin (dpa) – After a good 24 hours of tough negotiations, CDU/CSU and SPD have achieved a breakthrough in their coalition talks. The negotiators agreed on a coalition treaty and the allocation of minister portfolios on Wednesday morning.

Both parties emphasize: “We work for stability and cohesion, for renewal and security, and for equal living conditions in our country,” as stated in the preamble of the draft coalition treaty as at Wednesday, 11.45 a.m., of which Deutsche Presse-Agentur has a copy. The parties wish to overcome divisions that have arisen. “We want to strengthen citizens’ trust once more in the ability of politics to act,” the document states. “To this end we strive for a political style that stimulates public debate, highlights differences and thus strengthens democracy.”

Now it is up to the members of the SPD whether a new Grand Coalition will form headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). The results of the members’ vote may be announced as early as the weekend of 3-4 March.

The top Social Democrats seek to encourage party members to give the coalition treaty the green light. In the coming weeks 463,723 Social Democrats are to vote on the new agreement between CDU, CSU and SPD.